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Where Do I Start

Dan T

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Dan T Newbie
Dan T
Posted

I am a 45 male who has always had some mild constipation but lately it has been out of control. I have a dad and a nephew with celiac but have no idea if that is what I have. I have gone 80-90% gluten free for a week and the cramps are gone but the constipation is still there. Not sure what to eat or do right now,

my urine is clear and the cat scan revealed nothing.

Dan

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GottaSki Mentor
GottaSki
Posted

If you've already tried the simple strategies of more fiber & fruit/fruit juice (apples, prunes, raisins) you have two options to try to determine celiac:

1) Go back to eating gluten normally, have celiac and nutrient blood work - followed by endoscopy if indicated by either tests or symptoms. If possible have this done by a Gastrenterologist whom wants a celiac case. Gene testing for Celiac is optional - although these don't diagnose Celiac, only indicate that you might develop Celiac - if you don't have the genes it is helpful in ruling out Celiac.

2) Go 100% gluten free to see if your symptoms improve - I'm 44 and it took about 6-8 weeks to show improvement in some symptoms - others symptoms including constipation took longer - but did improve.

Good Luck!

Link Rookie
Link
Posted
If you've already tried the simple strategies of more fiber & fruit/fruit juice (apples, prunes, raisins) you have two options to try to determine celiac:

1) Go back to eating gluten normally, have celiac and nutrient blood work - followed by endoscopy if indicated by either tests or symptoms. If possible have this done by a Gastrenterologist whom wants a celiac case. Gene testing for Celiac is optional - although these don't diagnose Celiac, only indicate that you might develop Celiac - if you don't have the genes it is helpful in ruling out Celiac.

2) Go 100% gluten free to see if your symptoms improve - I'm 44 and it took about 6-8 weeks to show improvement in some symptoms - others symptoms including constipation took longer - but did improve.

Good Luck!

Link Rookie
Link
Posted
I am a 45 male who has always had some mild constipation but lately it has been out of control. I have a dad and a nephew with celiac but have no idea if that is what I have. I have gone 80-90% gluten free for a week and the cramps are gone but the constipation is still there. Not sure what to eat or do right now,

my urine is clear and the cat scan revealed nothing.

Dan

Link Rookie
Link
Posted

Dan:

Enterolab (www.enterolab.com) offers a variety of tests, including a stool test, to identify gluten sensitivity. It also provides genetic testing. All tests are at a reasonable cost and may be

ordered without a doctor's order.

These stool tests are highly sensitive and will tell you if you are gluten intolerant and even if you are genetically predisposed to celiac disease. It is well worth checking out this web site...it is a wealth of information. Also, the stool test is not an invasive test and it is definitive. I just ordered the kit for myself to determine once and for all if I have Celiac Disease and if I carry the genes so I can enlighten my adult kids. Also, you don't have to start back on gluten to have the test done.

Also, The Gluten Connection by Shari Liberman is an excellent book to get you started on the gluten journey. Highly informative...this is where I found out about the lab in TX. Hang in there. I am still battling the symptoms of gluten intolerence after being gluten free for 5 1/2 weeks. I am determined to beat this ordeal. Don't give up...stay gluten free...what do you have to lose?

Evie4 Apprentice
Evie4
Posted

Dan, constipation was my main motivation to go gluten free. I'm in my late 40s and it was becoming progressively worse. I went mostly gluten free and found that two days in a row of consuming gluten constipated me. Then it was a single day of consumption and I couldn't go for a couple days. Things were going really well after completely stopping gluten and then I found out if I eat legumes a couple days in a row or if I eat too many gluten free starchy things like muffins, cookies, pretzels etc. I start having problems.

I've been suffering from IBS for about 16+ years now. I tried all the traditional recommendations. Fiber was a disaster, no amount water or exercise worked. I have pretty much always eaten well balanced meals with daily fruit and vegetables. My husband has no problem with our diet.

I don't know if I have celiac disease. I do have genes, symptoms and test results that point to it. So I'm gluten free and life is better. Not perfect, but better!

So...you could try eating less starch and no gluten and see if that helps. In my case, the amount of gluten you have been eating would be too much for me to not be constipated.

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      Since you compromised the validity of the antibody testing by experimenting with gluten withdrawal ahead of the testing, you are faced with two options: 1. Reintroduce significant amounts of gluten into your diet for a period of weeks, i.e., undertake a "gluten challenge". The most recent guidelines are the daily consumption of at least 10g of gluten (about the amount found in 4-6 slices of wheat-based bread) for at least two weeks leading up to the day of testing. Note: I would certainly give it more than two weeks to be sure. 2. Be willing to live with the ambiguity of not knowing whether gluten causes you problems because you have celiac disease or NCGS (Non Celiac Gluten Sensitivity). There is no test for NCGS. Celiac disease must first be ruled out and we have tests for it. Celiac disease has an autoimmune base. NCGS does not. GI symptoms overlap. In the early stages of celiac disease, other body systems may not be showing stress or damage so, symptomatically, it would be difficult to distinguish between celiac disease and NCGS. Both conditions require elimination of gluten from the diet for symptom relief. Some experts feel that NCGS can be a precursor to celiac disease.
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